With most school holidays now half-a-week old, it is likely that boredom, wailing and the gnashing of milk teeth has begun. Fortunately, there is plenty to do, whether you are looking for free events for the children or simply somewhere you can hide from them.

London

Setting children the task of counting gaudy merchandise bearing the legend “Awesomestow” is one free activity at the Walthamstow Garden Party (Sat & Sun), which sees the Barbican providing outreach to London’s northeast corner. The Brand New Heavies will perform amid a sea of child-friendly crafting, food stalls and design. Children are also to the fore at Chinatown Family Day (Sun), with circus performers keeping the audience entertained ahead of the lion dance. More artistic youngsters can take calligraphy classes or design prints, with drawing and the arts also being high on the agenda at Earls Court for Hyper Japan (Sat & Sun), where Japanese pop culture meets tradition.

South and Wales

In a field full of kids, no one can hear you scream, which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on your mood. Discover how this feels at Holifair Family Festival (Fri to 3 Aug), which takes place at Gweek, near Helston in Cornwall, promising the by-that-point-possibly-appealing band Scrotum Clamp alongside poetry, crafts and nature-based arts. Nature is to the fore at the Whitstable Oyster Festival (Sat to Fri), although the main focus is on who can guzzle the most during the oyster-eating competition. Seaside cinema and a children’s treasure hunt keep the week full, although probably not as full as attendees of The Big Cheese festival in Caerphilly (Sat & Sun). This celebration of local heritage features a funfair, folk dancing and a lot of dairy.

North and Midlands

Dairy is definitely off the menu at the Newcastle upon Tyne Vegan festival (Sat), where talks, treats and tofu are the pay-off for being up-sold hemp shopping bags and leather-free sandals. Parents who like to tell their offspring about how they used to make their own entertainment will be pleased to be proven right at Manchester Mini Maker Faire (Sat & Sun), where inspiring the young to get creative is the order of the day. A soft toy orchestra and wandering robots will inspire young Alan Turings, while foppish wannabe architects are catered for with a Victorian build. Meanwhile, under-10s get in for just £2 at Leicester’s Simon Says festival (Sat & Sun), and you can choose between the ale tent and the family area.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Speed is the word in Belfast at Belfast Motor Show (Sat & Sun), with supercars, rally cars and, erm, Lembit Opik on a motorbike. High-octane thrills are also on the cards at Scotland’s National Airshow (Sat) at the National Museum Of Flight, East Fortune. There will be wing-walkers, Red Arrows and some historic RAF kit, none of which will be on offer at Vintage Glasgow (Sat & Sun, pictured inset). This retro event features plenty of clothing traders alongside a full programme of DJs and bands. That should keep them busy… for a bit.